LNP MPs rubber-stamp controversial youth justice changes for vote

The news

LNP members of a committee considering proposed laws to enact the Queensland government’s hardline youth justice changes have rubber-stamped the bill for passage by parliament next week.

In a report published on Friday afternoon, justice integrity and community safety committee chair Marty Hunt said while the brief one-week scrutiny period had surfaced concerns, the bill should pass.

The six-person committee’s two Labor MPs said the laws should require a review, and flagged “further views” to be given during the debate next week.Credit: Matt Dennien

“The committee considers that the rights and concerns of victims are paramount and that action needs to be taken to address the growing numbers of serious crimes being perpetrated by young offenders,” he wrote.

But sentiment across the six-person committee, controlled by the LNP’s three members, was not unanimous, with Labor MPs expressing reservations and Greens MP Michael Berkman urging the bill be dumped.

Why it matters

The bill has been under consideration within the committee system which acts as a place of scrutiny for laws under the state parliament’s lack of an upper house for just one week, holding two hearings and fielding 182 submissions.

This followed an election campaign in which the LNP sought a mandate to pass the laws, which will see kids sentenced as adults for some offences and no longer be jailed as a last resort, by Christmas – though without the detail of the bill.

Crisafulli introduced this document to parliament last Thursday in what he said was the first “strike back” at youth crime rates – which have risen recently, including some high-profile cases, but remain at historical lows.

A raft of legal experts and social service groups – including the United Nations child rights arm – have criticised the proposed laws, which the government acknowledges violate international law and disproportionately affect First Nations kids.

What they said

In his forward, Hunt – a former member of the Queensland Police Service – noted distressing evidence from many victims of youth crime during the inquiry process.

“Trauma experienced by these victims of crime was often still evident as they gave evidence and on behalf of the committee we thank those brave individuals who participated.”

“I’m proud to be part of a committee that listens to victims and supports legislative change that seeks to improve our youth justice system to better reflect community expectations, ensure there are consequences for actions for our most serious offences and reduce the number of victims of crime.”

The document, which runs to 87 pages, noted there was no external consultation about the bill before its introduction.

Another perspective

The committee’s two Labor MPs wrote a statement of reservation criticising the time for scrutiny, the lack of police evidence to the inquiry process, the LNP’s transparency around the bill’s detail before the election, and potential “negative consequences”.

The pair said the laws should require a review, and flagged “further views” to be given by Labor during the debate next week. Opposition Leader Steven Miles has previously suggested Labor would not vote against the bill.

In a separate dissenting report, Greens MP Michael Berkman called for the bill to be abandoned.